This is the end of this one - thanks to everyone who followed this story & took the time to review. I really appreciate it.

I don't have any plans to do a sequel to this Maura / Jane story. My heart is with my other Maura / Jane series and I have plans to start another one along that line as time goes on.

I will also be finishing Online Banking (I PROMISE!) and I have a few other things in the works. ;)

I appreciate the feedback.

The hand lazily traced my uncovered thigh; pausing to tickle behind my knee before resuming the feather light journey toward my hip.

I sighed happily as my eyes fluttered open; meeting Jane's smirking gaze.

"Morning," she drawled, her hand moving briefly to gently stroke my face before returning to my thigh.

"Good morning." I responded happily. I couldn't decide what made me happier; her early-morning attention or the fact that I was waking up next to her.

"Your eyes are like four different colors," she remarked with her voice full of surprise. "How come I never noticed that before?"

"Two colors actually. It's due to heterochromia." I responded easily. "It's a genetic eye condition where the iris contains two pigments. The pupillary and ciliary areas of each eye differ in color due to the concentration and dispersal of melanin which results in a multi-colored appearance. It's most common in Caucasians with irises that contain low amounts of melanin."

She groaned good-naturedly and rolled her eyes. "It's too early for science, Maura."

"It's actually been scientifically proven that the early waking hours is when the brain is the most alert and productive."

"Oh my god," she remarked before pulling the covers over her head. "You're ridiculous. But I love you."

"It's also been proven that people are at their most honest when they first wake up. People lie more and do more dishonest things as the day goes on." I continued.

"Really?" She pulled the covers down, one eyebrow quirked. "If that's true, I should only interrogate suspects after they've had a good night's sleep."

"It is true." I respond; biting back a smile. "It's the morning, after all, so I'm clearly not telling a lie."

She frowns for a moment, absorbing my words. After a few seconds, her mouth formed a lazy grin. "Did you just make a joke?"

I allowed my smile to encompass my face. "I did! Did you like it?"

"Come here," she said as she pulled me into her embrace. I happily snuggled into her, enjoying the strength in her arms as she held me close and peppered kisses across my face. "You're adorable."

I sighed and felt my entire body relax. "I love you."

"And I love you," Jane responded simply, tightening her grip around me. "So, speaking of my undying devotion to you, I think we need to talk. I've been thinking about some things."

I tried to pull out of her embrace in order to gauge her expression but her long arms held me firmly in place.

"If you want to set a date, I can do that." Her voice was soft and low.

Despite her protests, I finally was able to pull away from her to meet her gaze. Her eyes were solemn and dark, full of unspoken truths.

"You want to get married?" I asked her. She faltered under my scrutiny; her eyes darting to the side as she began to chew on the corner of her lip.

"Sure," she responded uneasily, "I mean, I know that's what you want."

"How could you presume to know what I want when you haven't asked me?" My voice came out harsher than I intended, and I offered her a gentle smile to soften my words.

"You don't want to get married?"

"Of course I do," I responded and she furrowed her brown in confusion.

"Maurrrra," she warbled pathetically, "I'm so confused."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm trying to be all serious and you're laughing at me," she pouted; her bottom lip sticking out pitifully.

"Jane, I don't think either of us have any misgivings about what our relationship means. I have no doubt that we will always play an integral part of each other's lives. I just don't see the need to make any major decisions right now. After all we have been through, there's nothing wrong with taking things slowly. I refuse to put any pressure on myself or on you."

She continued to pout until I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her exposed lip. Once I felt her smile under my caress I knew I had gotten through to her.

"I just don't want you to think I'm not serious about us," she said with her eyes full of uncertainty. "Because I am. Very serious."

I gave her a beaming smile in response.

"And all of those things that I didn't want with Casey I want with you. I want a big wedding with our family and friends. I want to wake up every morning with you here like this. I even think I want babies with you, which is weird, but I do. I mean, it's not weird that I want babies with you, but it's weird that I'm already thinking about babies with you. How do we even do that? "

My eyes widened and I took a sharp intake of air.

"What did I say? You look freaked. Maura, why are you freaked?" Jane's wild eyes darted back and forth trying to interpret the expression on my face.

Stunned, I was unable to say anything for several seconds.

"Maur, please say something," she pleaded.

"No, I mean yes I do," my words came out in a stammered rush. "I want all of those things very badly, Jane. Very much so."

"Okay, good." She mock swatted my hip. "You scared me."

I leaned forward to kiss her nose. "I'm sorry."

We continued to gaze at each other like lovesick teenagers.

"So what do we do now?" Jane said after several minutes of silence; the worried look returning back to her face. She sat up in bed; rubbing her eyes tiredly with the back of her hands.

"We have breakfast. Take Jo for a walk. Hold hands. Go out for ice cream later."

"Ha ha. Very funny."

"I'm serious, Jane. We need to take things one day at a time. Our future together in inevitable; I love you and want to be with you. That's enough for me right now. I have no doubt that one day we will plan a wedding and even start a family together."

"No rush?"

"No rush. We'll know when we're ready."

"Deal."

The resolution of our future secure, we ventured into the sunlit kitchen, hand in hand.